System, method and computer program product for gathering and delivering personalized user information

ABSTRACT

A system, method and computer program product for providing a secure data channel between a user and associates. The method may receive pushed information from an associate, including, e.g., an update to the user profile information, related information, or personalized content for the user. The method can convey to the user, personal information including a selectable union of the user profile information, the related information, and/or the personalized content. The method can further share access to the personal information to a family, where the family can include another user, users, or multiple related users. The pushed information can include textual, digitized audio, digitized video, graphical image, or other data, and can include prescription, automobile service, or purchased product information, or voicemail messages.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a non-provisional patent application claimingpriority to related U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/196,082(Attorney Docket No. 36841-162331, formerly A-21189/A-21939) “System,Method and Computer Program Product for Gathering and DeliveringPersonalized User Information,” to Bolnick et al., filed Apr. 11, 2000,the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The present invention is also related generally to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/218,852 (Attorney Docket No. 35850-164486)“System, Method and Computer Program Product for Generating a UserLockable E-Mail,” to Bolnick et al., filed Jul. 13, 2000, the contentsof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to consumer information, andmore particularly to centralized distribution of personalized userinformation.

2. Related Art

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer productsconventionally maintain private information about consumers and theproducts they purchase. For example, when a consumer purchases a productsuch as, e.g., a car, from a manufacturer, a car dealer will captureinformation from the consumer, which can be forwarded on to amanufacturer. Such information can be manually keyed in or delivered ina digital form to a database of the manufacturer. Some other vitalinformation related to the product is unknown to the consumer. From timeto time, such information could be used by the consumer. Unfortunately,however, there is no convenient, conventional way for the consumer toget this information. For example, the consumer may be interested in thewarranty term remaining on the car that the consumer purchased. Noconventional convenient means exists to provide this information to theconsumer.

With the advent of the Internet, information portals have been providedto provide information to consumers. Unfortunately, conventionalinformation portals are designed to provide information to consumerusers in a general format. Conventionally, portals will request userprofile information from a user to categorize the user as belonging to aparticular group or “profile.” Based on the user's profile, the portalsuch as, e.g., http://www.my.yahoo.com, can deliver information to theuser. For example, if the user provides to the portal that the user isinterested in Microsoft stock, then the portal can deliver articlesabout Microsoft to the user. This information is broadcast to allconsumer users identifying an interest in Microsoft stock. Thus,conventional information portals do not provide a personalized result tothe user. Another example of information that is conventionally providedis weather information. For weather information, the user states a cityof interest and the portal broadcasts weather information to the userand others, which have stated an interest in the city.

Conventional information portals, since they broadcast only generalinformation to consumer users, suffer from disloyal users, i.e., usersof one portal will often switch to another portal on a whim.Conventional portals provide general information for broadcast to a massmarket of users by profile category. This general information is easilyretrievable from other portals. Users desire personalized informationnot provided by conventional portals. Such information can be related tothe users' personal preferences and past purchases. An improved methodof providing information to users is desired that overcomes theshortcomings of conventional information portals.

A conventional information portal is illustrated in block diagram 100 ofFIG. 1A. Specifically, block diagram 100 includes a user 102 interactingwith portal 104, via, for example, a computer, phone, or other accessdevice (i.e., not shown) such as, e.g., an interactive television (TV),a wireless device, etc. User 102 can be a consumer purchaser of aproduct that was manufactured by, e.g., a manufacturer 108. User 102 canpurchase the product directly from the manufacturer 108 or indirectlyvia, e.g., a wholesaler, distributor, reseller, or retailer,collectively referred to as an association or associate 108. Other users102 can include, e.g., any purchaser of a product, a purchasingrepresentative or other employee of a business.

User 102 is shown conveying user profile information 110 to informationportal component 104. For example, the user 102 could, e.g., subscribeto an online portal account at a portal such as, e.g.,http://www.my.yahoo.com, requiring entry of certain personal userprofile information 110.

As shown in diagram 100, information portal 104 can then make a generalrequest 112 for information from a content provider 106. In response tothe general request 112 for information, content provider 106 canprovide information 114 by general profile category to portal 104, asalso illustrated in diagram 100. Portal 104 can then broadcast 116 suchinformation by general profile category to users 102, which belong tothe general profile category having interest in such generalinformation.

In one embodiment, portal 104 and content provider 106 can be part ofthe same entity, collectively referred to as entity 120.

In one embodiment, the user 102 can provide information such as, e.g.,user personal information 118, to an associate manufacturer 108, orother organization or business (such as, e.g., a retailer, distributor,agency, governmental entity, nonprofit entity, and other associate). Theinformation 118 can be in the form of an information response card tothe manufacturer 108, which could then be keyed into a data processingsystem. Alternatively, the information could be provided electronicallyor via other manual or automated means. Note that line 118 isunidirectional representing this information is conveyed to themanufacturer 108. There is other information that would be useful in thehands of a consumer, which remains extremely difficult to access at,e.g., a manufacturer or other associate 108. Although some of thisuseful information may be available elsewhere, e.g., at a website wherethe user may have inputted and stored some information, (although muchvaluable information is not available to the customer), it can be burieddeep within various unrelated sites requiring separate logins withpotentially separate usernames, interfaces and passwords. Thus, it wouldbe desirable to have a more easily accessible centralized access touseful personal information related to a consumer user or customer.

Associate 108 can manually key-in the information appearing on aresponse card provided by user 102. Response card information cantypically include various types of information such as, e.g.,demographic information about the user 102, information about aparticular type and model of product purchased, distribution channelused, and other information such as, satisfaction of the user 102 withthe product. A cleansing process can be performed on the keyed-in datato ensure the accuracy of the entered data. The keyed-in response carddata can be placed in electronic form by data entry clerks bycategories. For example, data can be inserted into fields of a databaserecord of a database. The keyed response card information (i.e., ifprepared by a third party) can then be provided to the associate 108. Ifreceived by the associate 108 from a third party, the associate 108 mayperform further cleansing also. The associate 108 could import the data,parse the data, store the data for later use, or discard the data whenaged beyond a threshold date. Some associates 108 may choose not toinput the registration information to a database at all. Unfortunatelysuch valuable information of users 102 available to associate 108, isconventionally inaccessible to portals 104 and also unfortunately, isinaccessible to users 102.

FIG. 1B illustrates in further detail, in flow diagram 124, an exampleinteraction between user 102, portal 104 and content provider 106, asdepicted in block diagram 100.

Specifically, diagram 124 begins with step 126 and continues immediatelywith step 128. In step 128, user 102 conveys user profile information tothe portal 104 via, some means such as, e.g., an electroniccommunication or e-mail. The diagram 124 then continues as shown withstep 130.

In step 130, portal 104 assigns a group profile category or multiplecategories to the user 104. Group categories can include, e.g., variousdemographic and psychographic attributes, and other areas of interest,including, e.g., gender, age, categorical interests, hobbies, etc. Fromstep 130, diagram 124 continues with step 132.

In step 132, portal 104 can store the user profile information 110 andcan add to the profile any of various group profile categories withwhich the user 102 could possibly be interested. Group profiles couldinclude, e.g., investors in a given company or residents of a zip codeor a city. Such broad group profiles might be assigned based onstereotypical interests associated with other users 102 having similarprofiles to the user profile information 110 provided by user 102. Fromstep 132, diagram 124 continues with step 134.

In step 134, portal 104 can generate a query 134 for information bygroup profile category to content providers 106 in order to request 112information of interest to the general profile categories assigned instep 130 to the users 102 of portal 104. From step 134, diagram 124continues with step 136.

In step 136, the content provider 106 can obtain content from time totime that is relevant to a particular group profile category. Forexample if a group profile category was shareholders of MicrosoftCorporation stock, then, when an article related to Microsoft ispublished by a wire service, this article, or content, would beavailable for delivery to users of the Microsoft shareholder groupprofile category. From step 136, diagram 124 continues with step 138.

In step 138, the content provider 106 can convey the content relevant tothe group profile category, referred to now as “group profile focusedcontent” to the portal 140. From step 138, the diagram 124 continueswith step 140.

In step 140, the portal 104 can then provide the group profile focusedcontent to users 102 which were assigned in step 132 to the groupprofile category to which the content is relevant. Thus, for the articleabout Microsoft, the portal 104 can convey the article to the Microsoftshareholder users 102. This is essentially a broadcast of information tothe user 102. The information is general information assumed to berelevant to the user 102, merely based upon the group profile categoryassigned in step 130. From step 140, diagram 124 continues with step142.

In step 142, the user 102 can review the group focused content conveyedby the portal 140. Unfortunately, much of this broadcasted group focusedcontent is of little interest to the user 102, since the user 102 maynot have the broad stereotypical interests of the assigned generalcategories. Unfortunately, conventional portals 104 do not providepersonalized information of direct interest to the users 102. Thus, if auser 102 chooses to “opt-out” of irrelevant content from the portal 104,the user 102 may opt out of useful, desired and relevant informationwhen trying to only opt out of the irrelevant content. From step 142,diagram 124 ends immediately with step 144.

It is therefore desirable that an improved method, system and computerprogram product be provided for enabling personalized information to begenerated and conveyed to users. The computer program product may beembodied on a computer usable medium and include program logic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method,system, and computer program product for providing a secure data channelbetween a user and one or more associates, including receiving at aprocessing server, from the user, user profile information, useridentification, a user acceptance, family definitions, sharing controls,and/or a hardware signature; receiving pushed information from the oneor more associates (e.g., a business, or organization), including anupdate to the user profile information, related information, orpersonalized content for the user; and conveying, to the user, personalinformation including a selectable union of the user profileinformation, the related information, and/or the personalized content.The personal information in an exemplary embodiment can be referred toas a personal information report (PIR). In an exemplary embodiment, thehardware signature can be generated and sent by an application that canbe downloaded from the processing server to user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the conveyance step canconvey information to the user using, e.g., a web interface, aninteractive voice response (IVR) system, a wireless access device, acommunications device, an interactive television (TV) device, a palm-topcomputing device, a synchronized device, a personal digital assistant, acomputing device or another device having a direct and/or indirectaccess to the Internet.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method can furtherinclude sharing access to the personal information to an individual useror a family. In an exemplary embodiment, the family can include anotheruser a multiple users, or multiple related users.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the associate can includean affiliated association, an unaffiliated association, or anotherassociation. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, theassociations can include, e.g., a manufacturer, a distributor, aretailer, an non-profit, a service provider, a sports franchise, aninformation provider, a news agency, a content provider, a televisionprogram, a movie, an entertainment event, or an agency.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method can furtherinclude providing cumulative aggregate user profile information to theassociation.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pushed information caninclude, e.g., textual data, digitized audio data, digitized video data,graphical image data, and/or other data.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pushed information caninclude, e.g., prescription information, automobile service information,purchased product information, travel reservation information, sportsinformation, TV programming information, deductions informationcharitable contribution information, encrypted information, financialinformation, membership information, educational information, voicemailmessages, and/or any information related to the user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system isdisclosed for providing a secure data channel between a user andassociates including a database including user profile information, useridentification, user acceptance, sharing controls, and/or a hardwaresignature; multiple associates that convey updates of the user profileinformation, related information, and pushed personalized content intothe database; and a component that provides a selectable union of thepushed personalized content with the user profile information forconveyance to a user.

In another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is disclosedfor enabling a computer to display an associates list to a useraccording to the present invention.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product isdisclosed including an instant message application to enable display ofan associates list to a user.

In another embodiment, an inflight entertainment portal is disclosedincluding a user interface operative to display an associates list to auser, including pushed personalized content relating to the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, an application-based, applet based,browser-based, or other form of application-based computer programproduct can be provided.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, aredescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical,functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawingin which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digits inthe corresponding reference number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following, more particular description of a preferredembodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1A depicts a high-level block diagram illustrating an example of auser interaction with a portal;

FIG. 1B depicts a more detailed flow diagram illustrating a userinteraction with a portal;

FIG. 1C depicts a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of areal-time social network service provider according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofan improved method by which a user can provide information andassociations can convey personalized information to a real-time socialnetwork for conveyance to the user according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a conveyance of a selectableunion of personalized content information with information pushed fromassociates according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofan associates dynamic database of the real-time social network (RTSN) ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of afamilies' dynamic database schematic according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a your home to-do view listuser interface according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an associate providers listview user interface according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an associate provider pop-upwindow illustrating a personalized customer information record accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a user interface illustratinga user's summary home page exemplary access device views of a RTSNaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a user interface illustratinga user's calendar according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a computer system which canbe used as any computing device such as a client or server computeraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a voicemail including agraphical image that could be a shared file which could be included asan example union of pushed information and personal information messageaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 13A depicts an exemplary embodiment of an association list windowintegrated into an exemplary groupware application including a windowillustrating a personal information report (PIR) according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 13B depicts an exemplary embodiment of a redundant securitytransport (RST) architecture according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a travel reservation personalinformation record (PIR) integrated with a portal's calendar function,illustrating adjusting a flight schedule to avoid a delay according tothe present invention.

FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a user interface illustratingan operating system tray based alert and application based version of anassociates list and PIR according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a user interface for anin-flight entertainment (IFE) portal according to the present invention;and

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of aninstant messenger including an exemplary associates list according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 1A depicts, as described above, a high-level block diagram 100illustrating an example of interaction between a user 102 and a portal104.

FIG. 1B depicts a more detailed flow diagram 124 illustrating a detailedexample interaction between a user 102 and the portal 104.

FIG. 1C depicts a block diagram 146 of an exemplary embodiment of asecure data channel between a user and associates referred to herein, inan exemplary implementation embodiment as a real-time social network(RTSN) service provider. In an exemplary embodiment, block diagram 146can include users 102 a, 102 b interacting with, e.g., computer systems148 a, 148 b via, e.g., browsers 168 a, 168 b computer systems 148 a,148 b can be coupled via network 150 to exemplary RTSN service provider204. Associates 208 a, 208 b can interact with computer systems 118 a,118 b via e.g., browsers 172 a, 172 b. Computer systems 170 a, 170 b canbe coupled via network 150 to RTSN service provider 204.

RTSN service provider 204, as shown, can include one or more webservers156 a, 156 b can be coupled to network 150 by a firewall 152 and loadbalancer 154. Webservers 156 a, 156 b can be coupled to one or moreapplication servers 158 a, 158 b. Application servers 158 a, 158 b canexecute applications such as, e.g., application programs 160, 162.Application 160 can be a personal information report (PIR) systemapplication 160 that can generate various reports according to thepresent invention. Application 162 can be a database management system(DBMS) 162, which can manage database, such as, e.g., databases 164,166.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram 200 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof an improved method by which a user 102 can provide user profileregistration information. Block diagram 200 also illustrates howretailers, manufacturers, agencies, and non-profits, collectivelyassociates 108, 208 can convey information related to the user 102 to areal-time social network service provider 204 database 164, 166.

Block diagram 200 in an exemplary embodiment, illustrates a systemincluding a user 102 and a real-time social network service provider204. Block diagram 200 can further include associations 208 a, 208 b,and 208 c and families 224 a, 224 b, and 224 c. The block diagram 200can include a real-time social network service provider 204 database164,166 that can receive user profile information and family definitionsin step 210 and sharing controls conveyed in step 212. Multipleassociations 108, 208 can in step 202 convey updates of the user profileinformation, and related information. The RTSN 204 can in step 206provide cumulative aggregate profile information by associate.Specifically, affiliated association 208 a can be conveyed aggregateuser profile information in step 214. Similarly, for unaffiliatedassociation 208 b and other association 208 c, aggregate user profileinformation 216 and 218 can be conveyed, respectively. Block diagram 200can also include families 224 a, 224 b, and 224 c and determinations ofshared access 222 a, 222 b, and 222 c which can allow personalinformation such as, e.g., a calendar, a to-do list, an address book andmessages, to be shared as shown in step 220.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram 300 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof the present invention, including the real-time social network (RTSN)service provider 204 conveying in step 314 a selectable union ofpersonalized content information with information pushed in steps 302,304 and 306 from associates 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c, respectively. Blockdiagram 300 can include database locations 308, 310 and 312 of RTSN 204into which associates 208 a, 208 b and 208 c, respectively, canadvantageously push personalized information for users 102. Associations208 a, 208 b, and 208 c, in an exemplary embodiment can continually pushpersonalized content information as shown by steps 302, 304, and 306into the real-time social network service provider 204 database 164,166. In step 314 the real-time social network (RTSN) service provider204 database 164, 166 can provide a selectable union of the personalizedcontent pushed in steps 302, 304, and 306, with the user profileinformation 210 for conveyance to the user 102, or for personalinformation to be shared as shown in step 220 according to sharingcontrols conveyed in step 212, to users 102 of a family 224 a, 224 b,and 224 c of users 102 for which access is shared using accessdeterminations 222 a, 222 b, and 222 c.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention can include a method,system, and computer program product for providing the real-time socialnetwork 204, including receiving at the real-time social network 204,from a user 102, user profile information and/or family definitions asillustrated in step 210, and/or sharing controls as shown in step 212.The method can receive as shown in step 202 user profile updates andrelated information from an associate 208, which could have beenprovided to the associate 108 by the user 102 as shown by the conveyanceof step 118, or could have already been within the possession ofassociates 108, 208 but possibly inaccessible by user 102. Associates208 can also send information such as, e.g., an update to the userprofile information, and/or related information as shown in step 202.Associates 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c are also shown in FIG. 3 providing or“pushing” in steps 302, 304, and 306 personalized content for the user102. The RTSN 204 is shown conveying, to the user 102, in step 314personal information including a selectable union of the user profileinformation, the related information, and/or the pushed personalizedcontent from associates 208 a, 208 b and 208 c.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, step 316 illustrates theRTSN 204 conveying user-personalized content to the user 102 using,e.g., a web interface, an interactive voice response (IVR) system, awireless access device, an interactive television (TV) device, acomputing device, a communication device, a palm top computing device, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), or another access device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the RTSN 204 can furthershare access to the personal information to users 102 of a family 222a-c. In an exemplary embodiment, the family 222 a-c can include e.g.,another user, multiple users, or multiple related users.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the associates 208 caninclude, e.g., at an affiliated association 208 a, an unaffiliatedassociation 208 b, or an other association 208 c. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the associations 208 can include, e.g., amanufacturer, a distributor, a retailer, an non-profit, or an agency.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method can providecumulative aggressive profile information by association as shown instep 206 and can further include as illustrated in steps 214, 216, and218 providing aggregate user profile information to associations 208a-c, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pushed information caninclude, e.g., textual data, digitized audio data, digitized video data,graphical image data, or other data.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pushed information caninclude, e.g., prescription information, automobile service information,purchased product information, travel reservation information, sportsinformation, deductions information charitable contribution information,encrypted information, financial information, membership information,educational information, voicemail messages, or other usefulinformation.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram 400 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof an associates dynamic database of the real-time social network (RTSN)of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram 500 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof a families' dynamic database schematic.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram 600 illustrating an example embodiment ofa your home to-do view user interface of the present invention.

The Real-Time-Social-Network™ (“RTSN”) service provider 204 allows users102 to become organized and to obtain answers to questions of concern tothe users 102. Users 102 can organize people, businesses, andorganizations that they associate with in a secure network environmentvia access devices such as, e.g., interactive TV, wireless Web devices,and on the Web.

As users 102 of the RTSN 204 become accustomed to checking daily, e.g.,personal daily schedules, to-do lists, phone or address books, messages,or answers to their recently asked questions, businesses andorganizations can advantageously “push” personal information report(PIRs) discussed further below, and can integrate individualized clientdata into the daily routine of the user 102. This “pushed” data can bedesired rather than undesired because the data is useful informationwhich can come from businesses and organizations associates 208 a-c thatthe user 102 is already associated with.

Almost any type of scheduled (i.e., time critical) data can be deliveredto users 102 by associate providers 208 (such as, e.g., businesses andorganizations). However, the type of information that can provide thegreatest benefit for both users 102 and associate providers 208 isinformation that can help reduce the burden of product support andcustomer service, that has a regular schedule, and that fosters along-term trusted relationship.

Business Model

The foundation of the business model of RTSN service provider 204, isbuilt upon three strategies:

-   -   sale of associate member accounts to associate providers for        their customers and members,    -   advertising, and    -   sponsorships.

In an exemplary embodiment, a primary revenue stream for the RTSNservice provider can arise from the bulk sale of associate memberaccounts to businesses and organizations. Associate providers 208 canassign account numbers to an individual customer 102 so that theassociate 208 can personalize data to be “pushed” into the account ofthe user 102.

Users 102 can generate revenue, accruing to the RTSN, each time theypatronize an associate 208 company that has signed on as an associateprovider 208. For example, a user 102, John Smith, can buy a Ford andcan opt to use the RTSN 204 site. Thus, the user's relationship withassociate provider 208 Ford can result in revenue to RTSN 204. Assumeuser 102 John is also a frequent flyer on three airlines, each of whichis an associate provider 208. John can also be a Knicks fan and canenjoy fishing. If the Knicks and Field & Stream magazine are associateproviders 208, John's various relationships can now be generatingrevenue for RTSN 204 from multiple associate revenue streams.

The approach, where associate providers 208 can comfortably insertthemselves into a user 102 customer's daily life can be a win-winrelationship for both user customer 102 and the associate provider 208business. The approach can provide customer users 102 with variousservices including, e.g., personalized up-to-the-minute information,group announcements, the ability to post questions to other userscustomers, and on-line voting.

The approach can offer associate providers 208 various services as well,including, e.g., aggregate customer profiling, persistent branding,customer support reduction, customer service/profile surveys, paperreduction due to on-line delivery of mass notifications, hardcopysurveys and voting, and the ability to resale customer accounts. Aboveall, the approach can foster customer loyalty and trust known in theindustry as “stickiness.”

Exemplary Uses for Associate Providers' of a Real-Time-Social-Network™Service Provider

Any media with personalized content is applicable in this context.Illustrative examples include, e.g.:

-   -   A phone company delivering voice mail (graphic slides can be        added to this, see voicemail demo at        http://www.yourfamily.com/v-mail/msg001.asf);    -   An automobile manufacturer delivering specific consumer        information and scheduled service reminders (see diagram of FIG.        4);    -   A pharmacy providing a medication schedule and a reminder when        to order refills (see diagram of FIG. 4);    -   A sports franchise placing game schedules on a fans personal        calendar and alerting them to seat availability that fits into        the member's profile; and    -   A school reminding parents of their time slot at a        parent-teacher conference and allowing them to download a        student's report card (see diagram of FIG. 4).

Exemplary Uses for Users of a Real-Time-Social-Network™ Service Provider

Illustrative examples include, e.g.:

-   -   Organizing who will pick up the kids after school;    -   Creating a list of things to do for the church picnic;    -   Finding a current phone number for a family member who keeps        moving;    -   Viewing bowling league scores;    -   Reading the block association's newsletter; and    -   Asking advice about what's a good refrigerator to buy.

A benefit of the RTSN 204 is to humanize the Web so as to servereal-life, day-to-day, complex and seemingly conflicting needs ofpeople.

The RTSN 204 is building a strong presence internationally, including,e.g., in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Japan. In anotherexemplary embodiment, localized versions, as well as, e.g., wirelessWeb, interactive television, interactive voice response (IVR), handheld, and other versions can be provided.

Detailed Overview of an Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict block diagrams 400 and 500 of exemplary embodimentsof the “push” data flow of a Real-Time-Social-Network™ (RTSN) serviceprovider 204. In both cases, data are pushed onto aReal-Time-Social-Network™ server from various sources.

In FIG. 4, block diagram 400 illustrates an exemplary embodiment wheredata from associate businesses and organizations 308 can be integratedinto member's display list of a user 102. Here, 4 associate providers308 a, 308 b, 308 c and 308 d of the 5 associate providers 308 a-308 ehave pushed fresh client data onto the Real-Time-Social-Network™ 204server (represented by the top 4 squares 308 a-308 d). The pushed datacan then be integrated into an associate display list 402 including,e.g., display items 404 a-e (represented by square 402) if the datamatches the date criteria. The user 102 can then see a detailed view414, 416 of any list item 404 a, 404 b, 404 c, 404 d and 404 e(represented by the 2 squares 414 and 416). Note, e.g., that the user102 can choose using feature 418 to have scheduled data automaticallyappear on their personal calendars. Diagram 400 demonstrates the flow ofdata from an associate provider 208 a, 208 b and 208 c, and depictsexemplary of value added aspects of the Real-Time-Social-Network™service provider 204.

The associates' list 402 includes an automotive service reminder 406 a,an automotive service request 408 a. Selecting the automobile associateicon 404 a can open the pop-up window 414 that can provide personalizedinformation 422 such as, e.g., automobile type 421, license plate orregistration information 422, vehicle information number (VIN) 423, anestimate bluebook value 424, remaining warranty period 426, recalls 428,a record from the last service visit 430, next service milestone 432,and a dealer locator 434.

Selection of pharmacy associate icon 404 b can open pop-up window 416that can provide personalized prescription information 436 a, 436 b.Prescription 436 a can include, e.g., the prescription identifier anddrug name 438, start date and end date 440, instructions 442, remainingrefills 444, prescribing physician and contact information 446.

Telephone service associate icon 404 c can include new items 410, 408 c,and 490 c.

School associate icon 404 d can have entries 406 d, 408 d.

Employer associate icon 404 e can include entries or an indication of nonew entries 412.

FIG. 5 illustrates diagram 500 including an example embodiment of theinvention including family data. Exemplary family database entries 312a, 312 b and 312 c, and 310 can be shown in a Families' Display list 502as shown. For each family icon 504 a, 504 b, 504 c, 504 d and 504 e canhave new items 506 a-c, 508 a, 510 a-b, 410 and 412. Selection of familyicon 504 a can open an electronic bulletin board 514 including memos 506a-c. Selection of icon 504 c can provide pop-up window 516 includingfamily news.

Real-Time-Social-Network™ service provider 204 is intended to be themost widely used personal information application for Web and wirelessWeb devices with strong global presence in the United States, Europe,Latin America, and Japan.

-   -   Businesses can gain the unique ability to communicate with their        active customers on an individual basis. This approach can        reduce the demand on customer support and increase brand        loyalty.    -   Organizations can be able to create a more cohesive membership        through the sharing of vital information like an        up-to-the-minute phone directory, calendar of events, and        announcements.    -   Families, which are much the same as small organizations, can        also find value in the ability to share selected portions of a        family member's phone book or calendar and to easily share all        manner of information with each other.    -   Individuals are the focal point of the Real-Time-Social-Network™        which can serve to humanize technology so as to serve the        real-life, day-to-day, complex and seemingly conflicting needs        of average people.

Components of the RTSN

Most people's lives are defined by a set of associations and dailyinteractions with the members of their many families. TheReal-Time-Social-Network™ 204 technology can connect aspects of anindividual's daily life.

An advantage of the Real-Time-Social-Network™ 204 is the network'sability to create an “addictive” environment where members return to thesite several times daily to review schedules, look up phone numbers, seeannouncements, ask advise, buy/sell/trade, and review interestinginformation from their associate providers.

This approach where associate providers 208 can comfortably insertthemselves into a daily life of a user 102 is a win-win relationship forboth user 102 and associate 208:

For example, a user 102 can get from associate provider 208:

-   -   Personalized, branded, up-to-the-minute information that can be        seen as value added (e.g., airline flight and seating status,        video rental return notices, voice-mail, on-premises service and        delivery reminders, etc.),    -   Personalized, branded, data (e.g., account statements, order        status, customer profile, etc.),    -   Group, branded, announcements (e.g., recall notices, product        upgrades, damage control, inclement weather closures, etc.),    -   The ability to post questions to other customers, if the        associate provider chooses this option (e.g., Can I tow a Honda        Accord with automatic transmission behind my RV? Which is a        better layover route from JFK to SeaTac—Chicago or San        Francisco?, and    -   On-line voting; and for example, an associate provider 208 can        receive from the sponsorship:    -   Timely, aggregate, customer profiling compiled from registration        data and association choices,    -   Persistent branding on the site and “pushed” announcements,    -   Customer support reduction (by providing the customer with        answers to the most often asked questions via personalized,        branded, data—see above),    -   Customer service/profile surveys (product and services        feedback),    -   Paper reduction due to on-line delivery of mass notifications        (e.g., annual share-holder reports, recall notices, change of        terms, etc.),    -   Cost reduction to hardcopy surveys and voting,    -   Customer loyalty and trust (i.e., being a positive part of a        customer's daily life)    -   Relevant Web links on account records, and    -   Ability to resale account to customers.

The following four integrated components are the heart of the site. Allcomponents can be accessible on wireless Web devices as well as the Weband initially in, e.g., English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese.The new site can follow W3C/WAI accessibility guidelines, wherepossible, making it consistent with, e.g., the ADA (American's withDisabilities Act) needs of corporations and government agencies.

Welcome

Welcome is the site's general home page where a user 102 logs on orobtains information about registering as a user member 102. From theWelcome page the user 102 can log on/off, register, or find help aboutthe site.

Once logged on, the user 102 is in a secure connection to theReal-Time-Social-Network™ 204 servers and can view a personal calendarsummary, messages summary, and list of important links. The user 102 canalso review and update a user personal profile.

Your Home

Your Home can allow the user 102 to preview what is going on in theuser's own world. By contrast, a portal 104 tells the user what ishappening in the outside world, or an organization's site tells youabout itself. The “Your Home” site focuses on the individual'sday-to-day routine and associations 208. That is, most people are partof many associations 208 whether they realize it or not. For example,they may be associated with a church, a parent-teacher organization, awork union, and workplace colleagues.

Through the use of the Real-Time-Social-Network™ 204, people andorganizations can immediately share selected parts of their calendars,to-do lists, and phone directories (these can be synchronizable withcommon palm-pc's and personal digital assistant (PDA) personalinformation manager (PIM) software such as, e.g., a groupwareapplication such as, e.g., Microsoft Outlook available from MicrosoftCorporation from Redmond, Wash., U.S.A., Lotus Notes available from IBMCorporation from Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A., and/or GroupWise available fromNovell Corporation from Provo, Utah, U.S.A.). In addition, announcements(or postcards) and letters (or newsletters) can be posted to one memberof one family, or all members of one family, to all members of manyfamilies. In this way, the “Your Home” site deals with the day-to-daydynamics of life. (For example, Does anyone know Aunt Sally's phone?Who's doing carpool today? Can someone bring sodas to the potluckdinner? Don't forget the Parent-Teacher meeting tonight in the school'sauditorium). All these questions and announcements are part of dailylives of users 102 and the “Your Home” site, through the use of theReal-Time-Social-Network™, can deliver updated versions to you 24 hoursper day, 7 days per week.

Your Families

The Your Families portion of this site embraces the concept that allpeople simultaneously belong to more than one family. In addition to animmediate family, we all have extended family and friends, work family,social “club” family, religious family, and many other families.

This section of the RTSN 204 site can provide a free and easy way tointeract with the members of one or many families on a daily basis byencouraging people to identify and define for themselves the familiesthey belong to. A goal of the RTSN 204 is to humanize the Web so as toserve the real-life, day-to-day, complex and seemingly conflicting needsof people.

Your Families can also provide a powerful link for small organizationsand non-profits to efficiently interact with their membership (asfurther discussed below).

Asking Questions

People ask questions every day. For many, getting an answer (let alone acorrect one) would take hours surfing the Web. Some questions will haveno answers on the Web given the uniquely personal nature of thequestion. Most people find answers to their questions by asking atrusted friend or relative, or maybe a work colleague. A goal with theRTSN 204 site makes this process more efficient.

Using the Real-Time-Social-Network™ 204, groups or “families” can posequestions to each other, based on a unique filtering system.

Therefore a user 102 asking a question could determine:

-   -   Which “family” to ask the question to,    -   Is the question anonymous or not,    -   What attributes the answerer should have (i.e. professional,        hobbyist, gender, age, etc.),    -   The maximum number of responses they would like, and    -   The expiration date of their question.

Likewise users 102 can decide whether they are willing to answerquestions or not on subjects that interest them, based on a similarfiltering system.

Associate business and organization members 208 could benefit from thiscomponent of the network by reducing the burden of their own productsupport and by having an avenue for people to ask questions aboutproducts and service.

For example, despite the proliferation of automotive Web sites and Webbased resources, Consumer Reports (April 2000) found that most peoplestill rely on a more subjective model for choosing a vehicle, “ . . .our respondents told us that the most important sources of informationinfluencing their choice of vehicle were still their previous experiencewith the manufacturer, visits to dealer showrooms, and advice fromfriends and relatives . . . . ”

Keeping in Contact

The Your Families section allows groups of people to define themselvesas a family and share selective information with one another. Commonexamples of families include: the people who live in a house, anextended family, a spouse's side of the family, bowling league buddies,a user's kid's little league team, workplace peers, a neighborhoodassociation or block-watch, and a church.

Each family 220 can share selective portions of an up-to-date calendar,address/phone book, and to-do list, and can have the ability to sendannouncements, memos, postcards, letters on stationary, one-pagenewsletters, and notices of items for sale/trade/free.

The power and simplicity of this approach is that these notices are onlydelivered to an individual who wishes to receive them and only from sitemembers. This essentially eliminates spamming and increases the personaltrust in the veracity of the announcement.

In addition, the Real-Time-Social-Network™ 204 also can support simpleonline voting (Yes/No/Maybe/Abstain) for group decision-making.

The days of out-of-date contact information are history for site users102 since a change in a shared phone listing can be seen by all memberswho are linked to that phone listing. That is, when a user 102 movesdown the street, all the user's “families” 220 (e.g., relatives, clubs,and organizations) and associations 208 (see Your Associations below)with whom that information was shared can automatically be updated. Thisis especially important for wireless Web where an up-to-the-minutecontact list can be useful.

Your Associations

Like the Your Families section above, the Your Associations sectionallows the user 102 to keep in sync with sponsoring associate 208businesses and organizations that the user 102 associates with. Forexample, in the everyday life of the user 102, the user 102 forms anassociation with various entities of the user 102 such as, e.g., theservice center of the user's car, user's child's pediatrician, user'spharmacist, and user's employer's human resource department. In essence,defined associations 208 can replace defined families. A difference isthat an association 208 can sponsor the relationship and can provide asecure link to the user's personalized information. As is apparent fromFIG. 4, this link to personalized information can be viewed asbeneficial to the user customer 102 and as a sound business practice forthe associate provider 208.

For example, suppose the user 102 has purchased a Ford Escortautomobile. Since the auto manufacturer would like to keep up-to-date onthe car's maintenance, Ford can sponsor the user purchaser's membershipin the RTSN and can provide a secure link to real-time information thatis specifically personalized for the car—advantageously a key tocustomer loyalty (see, e.g., FIG. 4).

On the other hand, some organizations can resell the organization'saccounts to the organization's members. An example could be a sportsteam reselling memberships to diehard fans offering them informationsuch as, e.g., “inside, up-to-the-minute, scoop” about the team and itsplayers plus special membership benefits such as, e.g., an opportunityto lock in preferred seats.

In Your Associations section, an association 208 can allow its membersto ask anonymous questions to the association 208 or, if they choose, tothe association's membership (or, e.g., a subgroup). The featureenabling questions to other members is a valuable feature in reducingthe burden and expense of product support calls. An example, the Townhall at www.edmunds.com has thousands of private postings about allmanner of issues on every type of automobile. This is useful forwww.edmunds.com but unfortunately Ford receives no credit for all thediscussions about 1999 Ford Escorts. Ford misses the opportunity tocultivate loyal customers.

The RTSN 204 can work closely with associate providers 208 to helptailor use of the Real-Time-Social-Network™ to the benefit of theassociates 208.

Exemplary Feature List

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the RTSN 204 caninclude various features such as, e.g.:

A Family Account (for individuals and small organizations), including,

-   -   ability to create multiple small “families,”    -   ability to join “public families,”    -   ability to ask questions (anonymously or not) to members of        their families (or public families accepting questions),    -   ability to make announcements to “families,”    -   ability to post items for sale/barter/give-away to “families,”    -   ability to send letters and postcards to “families,”    -   ability to send one page newsletters to “families,”    -   personal/shared (with selected families) calendar entries,    -   personal/shared (with selected families) phone book entries,    -   personal/shared (with selected families) to-do list entries,    -   voting buttons, and    -   free;

An Associate Provider's Account, including,

-   -   All features of the “Family” account plus:        -   ability to create “families/associations” with large numbers            of members,        -   ability to “push” individualized content into the member's            namespace,        -   logo is displayed on the association display panel and            announcements,        -   link to branded and personalized content page,        -   3 MB of server storage per customer account, and        -   paid.

Portal providers have attempted to address the needs of users 102.Unfortunately, their efforts have all fallen short.

The portal's philosophy has always been a “shotgun” approach. That is,since portals did not know what interested the user 102 they offeredlinks or selectable links to everything possible, from national news,local news, stock reports, weather, etc.

However, with all this information the portals have still failed tograsp what is important to the day-to-day existence of the average user102. The portals offer lots of splash & flash, which can capture auser's imagination for a while, but not for a long while. Portal fatigueis inevitable because it does not address what most average users needon a daily basis.

While portals are designed for retention it is very easy for a user toswitch from using one portal to another. Often a user changes theirportal simply because they bought a new computer with a differentdefault home page.

The “Reverse Portal™” approach of RTSN 204 can give associate 208businesses and organizations what they desire above all, the ability tobe part of a user's inner circle, an added value to their daily routine.In essence, the RTSN 204 is not a matchmaker (as is the portal), butinstead, once the customer/business relation exists, RTSN 204 providesthe glue for a long-term relationship.

The RTSN 204 offers users a base from which to check what is happeningin their daily lives. By integrating the many facets of the user's livesthey can begin to rely on the RTSN 204 several times a day.

Other Information

Because the Real-Time-Social-Network™ 204 is social by its very nature,the RTSN 204 leads to daily use and allows sponsoring associates 208 tobecome part of a user customer's social/family circle. Thisbusiness-customer relationship is not conventionally found on the Web.

The business model of the RTSN 204 can generate revenue in at least twoways. Primarily through paid associate 208 customer accounts (which canbe purchased in bulk by businesses and large organizations for each oftheir customers/members) and secondly through sponsorships andadvertisements.

The RTSN 204 model is ideal for wireless Web since RTSN 204 does notrely on advertisements for revenue. As wireless Web devices become morepopular RTSN 204 expects associate 208 accounts to rise to even greaternumbers while advertisement impressions drop due to lack of “realestate” inherent on displays of most portable Web devices. We alsoexpect ad impressions to drop as more users 102 become sponsored membersthrough paid associations 208.

The RTSN 204 model is advantageous in that users 102 generate revenueeach time they patronize an associate 208 company that has signed on asan associate provider 208. For example, (when user 102, John Smith, buysa Ford and opts to use this site.) Thus, the user's relationship withFord results in revenue to the RTSN 204. The user's other variousrelationships all can generate revenue from multiple associate revenuestreams.

Below is an illustrative sample list of example activities that users102 such as, e.g., members of organizations, employees of companies,school staff and students, and clubs, might perform withReal-Time-Social-Network™ 204:

-   -   organize events, including,        -   shared scheduling,        -   shared To-Do lists,        -   shared Who-Brings-What lists,        -   shared up-to-date membership lists,        -   automated reminders, and        -   finding and assigning volunteers;    -   answering questions (anonymously or not), including,        -   advice from other members,        -   advice from leadership,        -   sharing ideas with other likeminded organizations,        -   communicating with parent organizations, and        -   getting expert opinions on various subjects;    -   create inner networks for youth groups, sisterhoods, men's        clubs, PTO's, etc.;    -   newsletters and announcements;    -   carpooling schedules;    -   classified ads and e-garage sales; and    -   posting confidential messages to individuals.

FIGS. 6-17 depict exemplary embodiments of illustrative examples ofgraphical user interfaces (GUIs) that can be part of the RTSN 204 of thepresent invention. FIGS. 6-10 illustrate exemplary features of theReal-Time-Social-Network™ 204 such as, e.g.:

-   -   a simplified user interface that is suited for 95% of computer        users;    -   a user interface that is easily ported to a small footprint        device (e.g. Palm Pilot or wireless Web devices)(see FIGS. 9,        14);    -   a user interface that can be integrated into an operating system        desktop (see FIG. 15);    -   a user interface that can be integrated into groupware such as,        e.g., Microsoft Outlook (see FIGS. 13A and 10);    -   associate providers inserted into the user's to-do list (see        also FIG. 6);    -   a user interface that can be integrated into an instant        messenger service such as, e.g., AOL instant messenger or        Microsoft Instant messenger (see FIG. 17);    -   persistent branding (see FIG. 7);    -   a user interface that can be integrated into an in-flight        entertainment (IFE) portal (see FIG. 16);    -   appropriate links to order products or services or for        additional information (see FIGS. 6, 7 and 8); and    -   personalized, branded, up-to-the-minute information that can be        viewed (see pop-up window in FIG. 8).

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram 700 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof an associate providers list view 702 user interface in an exemplaryweb-based version of the present invention, including a your associatestab 708 and tabs to other functions.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram 800 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof an associate provider pop-up from a your home tab of an exemplaryweb-based version of the RTSN user interface, showing personalizedcustomer information. Specifically, an automotive service interface isshown in the exemplary pop-up window, after selection of a PersonnelInformation Report Channel (PIRC).

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram 900 illustrating an exemplary embodimentof a user interface illustrating an exemplary web-based version of auser's summary “your home” home page of a RTSN 204 of the presentinvention. The view can include, e.g., new messages 906, a to-do list904, and a calendar 902. FIG. 9 also illustrates interfaces easilyported to a personal digital assistant (PDA) 908, 910.

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram 1000 illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a user interface illustrating a user's calendar 902 and atask list 904 of the present invention. The exemplary view illustratesthe calendar integrated into a groupware application such as, e.g.,Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes. Shared calendar entries and relativetime entry tasks are also illustrated.

FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram 1100 illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a computer which can be used as a client 148, 170 orserver computer 156, 158, for example, of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram 1200 illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a voicemail including a graphical image that could be ashared file which could be included as an example union of pushedinformation and personal information message of the present invention.

FIG. 13A depicts a diagram 1300 of an exemplary embodiment of agraphical user interface of an exemplary Associates' list 1336integrated into a groupware application such as, e.g., MicrosoftOutlook, Novell Groupwise, or IBM/Lotus Notes. The associates' list 1336depicts graphically that two associates 1306 a and 1306 b have newunviewed content 1302. The associates' list 1336 can also includepreferences, profiles and status 1334. The folder list of the groupwareapplication can also include an associates' folder 1304. User 102selection of automobile service associate icon 1306 a can open pop-upwindow 1308. User 102 selection of additional to-do list items 1310 aand 1310 b can automatically add the two task items 1310 a, 1310 b tothe task list folder as illustrated by arrow 1314. Further personalizedinformation 1324 is depicted. For example, a recall 1326 of a gas cap isprovided, which could have been provided directly from the associate 208or from an agency such as, e.g., the consumer product protection agency(CPPA). An average current value 1328, remaining warranty period 1330, arecent service 1332, customer satisfaction survey 1318, parts orderinglink 1322, service dealer link 1316, other unselected tasks 1312 and atip of the week 1320 can also be provided.

FIG. 13B depicts an exemplary embodiment of a flow diagram 1337illustrating a redundant security transport (RST) process beginningwith, e.g., a personal information record (PIR) scraps 1338 of tasksfrom associates 208. In the exemplary embodiment an automotive serviceassociate can provide from a service center server a 6,000 mile servicetask 1340 illustrated in FIG. 13B, as task 1310 a and from a recalls andfulfillment server 1342, a gas cap recall 1342 illustrated as task 1310b in FIG. 13A. The tasks can be forwarded as shown to a process androuting server 118. From the process and routing server 118, the datacan be collected, compiled, and encrypted as shown in step 1344 in,e.g., a firewall 152. The data can then be sent via a secure tunnelingprotocol such as Windows NT's secure point-to-point tunneling protocol(PPTP) as illustrated in step 1346. In step 1348, the data can bereceived at a process and routing server 158 where the data asillustrated, can be encrypted again and stored. Using a secure socketslayer protocol (SSL), as illustrated in step 1350, the data can bedistributed via an SSL link to the user 102 at a computer system 148 aas shown. In step 1352, the data can again be stored encrypted on theuser device 148 a of the user 102. Finally when user 102 accesses thedata as illustrated in FIG. 13A, the data can be decrypted and displayedin a pop-up window 1328 as shown in step 1354.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a flow diagram 1400illustrating a flight reservation window from which a user 102 couldselect a one way trip from London to Seattle. If user 102 selects items1404 and 1406, using an exemplary reservation system as illustrated, theflightlegs can be automatically inserted as shown as calendar 1408entries 1410 and 1412. Suppose the User 102 is viewing the shownreservation window from an in-flight entertainment (IFE) portal such as,e.g., that shown in FIG. 16. Suppose a delay notice appears, the user102 can as shown by step 1414, select the delay notice and open pop-upwindow 1416 providing alternative flight arrangements. If user 102selects a flight as shown in step 1418, then the new flight leg can beautomatically entered using window 1420 to update calendar 1424 whichcan be viewed enroute in a vehicle information system 1428 or in-flightas shown in view 1430.

FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a block diagram 1500 of anexemplary graphical user interface of an associates list personalinformation report (PIR) accessible as a standard application from anoperating system desktop. In an exemplary embodiment an icon 1502 thatcan be placed in the system tray can provide a visual display to notifythe user 102 of new content received. Suppose new content such as, e.g.,airline service information 1508 is received. The system tray icon 1502can be made to blink, or change otherwise in appearance, to alert theuser 102 of new content. The user 102 can then activate the appearance,to alert the user 102 of new content. The user 102 can then activate theapplication based account list using a pop-up menu list such as e.g.,the menu shown including display accounts menu item 1504. When selected,menu item 1504 can be used to open an associates' accounts list window1506 which can provide a highlight 1508 to point out to the user 102which associate 1508 has new content. Selection of highlight 1508 canopen an application 1510 associated with the selected airline serviceassociate. The user 102 can select items 1512 to automatically add theappointments to a calendar of user 102. The user 102 can also selectitems 1514 to automatically add the items to the to-do list of user 102.PIR 1510 can also include, in an exemplary embodiment, reservationinformation 1516.

In one exemplary embodiment, the associates' list can be a separateapplication, as shown. In another exemplary embodiment, the associates'list application can be integrated directly into the operating system.

FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a block diagram 1600illustrating an associates' list integrated into a portal 1602.Specifically, the block diagram 1600 depicts the associates' listintegrated into an in-flight entertainment (IFE) portal 1602. Newcontent can be shown by highlight 1604, allowing the user 102 to selectthe new content associate icon 1604, which in the exemplary embodimentcan be for a pharmacist. Selection of the pharmacy associate icon 1604can open pop-up window 1606. Pharmacy PIR 1606 includes, in an exemplaryembodiment, a customer number 1608, a store identifier 1610, currentprescriptions 436 c, 436 d, pharmacy history 1612, store specials andcoupons 1614, and various exemplary specific information andinstructions 1616-1622 for prescriptions 436.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a block diagram 1700illustrating a graphical user interface 1702 illustrating an associates'list integrated into an instant messenger service. In the exemplaryfigure, current tools 1704 of a Microsoft Instant messenger service canbe shown including tabs 1706 and 1708. In an exemplary embodimentadditional tools 1710 can be included. Additional tools 1712, 1714 caninclude a tab for accessing MSNBC 1712, and the RTSN Associates' list1714, respectively. As will be apparent to those skilled in the relevantart, although the exemplary GUI 1702 uses an MSN Messenger Serviceinstant messenger, other instant messaging applications could similarlyinclude an associates' list 1714 integrated into them such as, e.g., AOLInstant Messenger and ICQ.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of thepresent invention should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A method, comprising: storing, by a computersystem, respective account information corresponding to a first accountand a second account of an information distribution network, wherein therespective account information indicates that the first account and thesecond account are unassociated, such that a first member correspondingto the first account is prevented from accessing at least a portion ofinformation for the second account; the computer system facilitating arequest for associating the first member with a second membercorresponding to the second account via the information distributionnetwork; in response to receiving a response to the request from thesecond member, the computer system associating the first account withthe second account and updating the respective account information toindicate an association between the first member and the second member;and based on the updating of the respective account information, thecomputer system allowing the first member to access an additionalportion of the information for the second account.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the respective account information corresponding tothe second account indicates that a particular portion of theinformation for the second account is publicly accessible and that theadditional portion is not publicly accessible, and wherein the methodfurther comprises: prior to associating the first account with thesecond account, the computer system permitting the first member toaccess the particular portion that is publicly accessible; andsubsequent to associating the first account with the second account, thecomputer system determining that the first member is permitted to accessthe additional portion of the information.
 16. The method of claim 14,further comprising: facilitating, by the computer system, a request fromthe first member for joining, via the information distribution network,a member group that includes the second member.
 17. The method of claim14, further comprising: based on the updated respective accountinformation, the computer system adding the second member to a contactlist of the first member stored on the information distribution network.18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: the computer systemupdating a member profile corresponding to the second account toindicate the association between the first member and the second member.19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: based on the updatedrespective account information, the computer system facilitating amessage from the first member, the message specifying the second memberas a recipient, to be transmitted to the second member.
 20. The methodof claim 14, wherein the updated respective account informationindicates at least one common attribute shared by the first member andthe second member.
 21. The method of claim 14, further comprising: basedon a preference of the second member indicated in the updated respectiveaccount information corresponding to the second account, the computersystem generating a report that includes a particular portion of theinformation for the second account; and the computer system causing thereport to be provided to the first member based on the updatedrespective account information.
 22. A system, comprising: a processor;and a memory configured to communicate with the processor, the memoryhaving instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processorto cause the system to perform operations comprising: receiving, from afirst member of a first account of an information distribution network,a request to access member information for a second account of theinformation distribution network; based on respective accountinformation for the first account and the second account indicating thatthe first member is unassociated with a second member of the secondaccount on the information distribution network, permitting the firstmember to access a portion of the member information for the secondaccount previously selected by the second member; facilitatingtransmission to the second member a request for associating the firstmember and the second member via the information distribution network;and upon detecting an approval of the request for associating from thesecond member, permitting the first member to access other portions ofthe member information for the second account.
 23. The system of claim22, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, from the secondmember, a selection indicating that a particular portion of the memberinformation for the second account is publicly accessible and that aremaining portion of the member information is accessible to membersthat are associated with the second member via the informationdistribution network; and prior to detecting the approval of the requestfor associating, permitting the first member to access the particularportion that is publicly accessible for the second account.
 24. Thesystem of claim 22, wherein the operations further comprise: associatingthe first account with the second account and updating the respectiveaccount information to indicate an association between the first memberand the second member; and based on the updating of the respectiveaccount information, permitting the first member to access a remainingportion of the member information.
 25. The system of claim 22, whereinthe operations further comprise: based on the approval of the request,providing to the second member a report that includes particularinformation respectively provided by the first member and a third memberassociated with the second member.
 26. The system of claim 22, whereinthe operations further comprise: based on the approval of the request,facilitating, via a data channel associated with the informationdistribution network, an advertisement from the first member to thesecond member.
 27. The system of claim 22, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: associating the first account with the second accountand providing a notification to the first member indicating that thesecond member is associated with the first member via the informationdistribution network.
 28. An article of manufacture including anon-transitory computer readable medium having instructions storedthereon that are executable to cause a computer system to performoperations comprising: storing respective account informationcorresponding to a plurality of accounts of an information distributionnetwork, wherein the respective account information indicates that afirst account and a second account are unassociated, such that a firstmember corresponding to the first account is prevented from providinginformation to the second account; facilitating a request, via theinformation distribution network, for associating the first member witha second member corresponding to the second account; in response toreceiving an acceptance for the request from the second member,associating the first account with the second account and updating therespective account information to indicate an association between thefirst member and the second member; and based on the updating of therespective account information, allowing the first member to provideinformation to the second member via the information distributionnetwork.
 29. The article of manufacture of claim 28, wherein theoperations further comprise: based on the respective account informationcorresponding to the second account indicating that a first portion anda second portion of member information for the second account arerespectively associated with a low privacy setting and a higher privacysetting, permitting the first member to access the second portion ofmember information associated with the higher privacy setting uponassociating the first and second accounts.
 30. The article ofmanufacture of claim 28, wherein the operations further comprise:subsequent to updating the respective account information, displaying aportion of the plurality of accounts that are associated with the firstaccount, wherein the portion of the plurality of accounts include thesecond account.
 31. The article of manufacture of claim 28, wherein theoperations further comprise: subsequent to the associating, providing tothe first member particular information indicating that the secondmember is included in a particular group of the information networkdistribution network; and facilitating a request to join the particulargroup from the first member.
 32. The article of manufacture of claim 28,wherein the operations further comprise: subsequent to updating therespective account information, receiving a request from the firstmember to access member information corresponding to the second account;and based on a privacy setting in the second account, determining atleast a portion of the member information that is accessible by thefirst member.
 33. The article of manufacture of claim 28, wherein theoperations further comprise: in response to detecting that access to thefirst account has been authenticated, providing to the first member, areport that includes member information corresponding to a portion ofthe plurality of accounts that are associated with the first account,wherein the report further includes member information corresponding toat least one of the plurality of accounts not associated with the firstaccount.